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United States Patent |
6,074,408
|
Freeman
|
June 13, 2000
|
Modular medical instrument and method of using same
Abstract
A modular medical instrument is used with an endoscope or other similar
medical instrument to perform medical procedures, such as endoscopy,
bronchoscopy, and laparoscopy. The modular medical instrument comprises an
elongated instrument device, an optional port fitting detachably coupled
to the instrument device, and an actuator handle detachably coupled to the
port fitting. The instrument device includes an elongated guide member, an
inner actuation cable slidably disposed within the guide member, and an
instrument device head assembly disposed at a distal end of the guide
member and actuation cable. The guide member preferably has a smooth outer
surface to facilitate insertion within the instrument channel of an
endoscope or similar medical device. In one example, the instrument device
head assembly includes a grasping device, such as biopsy forceps. The
biopsy forceps device includes first and second jaws pivotably coupled to
a body member, which is detachably coupled to an adapter at the distal end
of the guide member. The actuation cable includes first and second
portions or wires extending through the body member and coupled to the
respective jaws such that relative movement of the actuation cable with
respect to the body member causes the jaws to open and close. Each of the
components or sub-assemblies of the modular medical instrument are
detachable for cleaning and/or replacement.
Inventors:
|
Freeman; Kenneth V. (P.O. Box 157, Laconia, NH 03247)
|
Appl. No.:
|
170580 |
Filed:
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October 13, 1998 |
Current U.S. Class: |
606/205 |
Intern'l Class: |
A61B 017/28 |
Field of Search: |
606/108,110,113,114,205,206,104
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
5224954 | Jul., 1993 | Watts et al. | 606/205.
|
5238002 | Aug., 1993 | Devlin et al. | 606/205.
|
5325866 | Jul., 1994 | Krzyanowski | 606/205.
|
5782747 | Jul., 1998 | Zimmon | 606/104.
|
5810876 | Sep., 1998 | Kelleher | 606/205.
|
Other References
Circon ACMI Endourology Product Catalog, May 1993, Circon Corporation
Storz, The World of Endoscopy, Extract from Catalog Endoscopic Surgery,
2nd edition, Jan. 1993.
|
Primary Examiner: Buiz; Michael
Assistant Examiner: Trinh; Vikki
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bourque & Associates, P.C.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 60/063,279 filed Oct. 27, 1997, fully incorporated herein by
reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A modular medical instrument capable of being disassembled for cleaning
and reassembled for reuse, said modular medical instrument comprising:
an elongated guide member having a proximal end and a distal end and a
channel extending from said proximal end to said distal end;
an inner actuation cable slidably disposed within said channel in said
elongated guide member and having a proximal end and a distal end;
an instrument head assembly disposed at said distal end of said inner
actuation cable and extending from said distal end of said elongated guide
member; and
an actuator handle detachably coupled to said proximal end of said
elongated guide member and detachably coupled to said proximal end of said
inner actuation cable such that said actuator handle moves said inner
actuation cable within said channel in said elongated guide member to
actuate said instrument head assembly, wherein said actuator handle is
capable of being detached and reattached to both said elongated guide
member and said inner actuation cable.
2. The modular medical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a port
fitting detachably coupled between said proximal end of said elongated
guide member and said actuator handle, and wherein said port fitting
includes at least one flush port in fluid communication with said channel
in said elongated guide member.
3. The modular medical instrument of claim 1 wherein said handle actuator
includes:
a handle body having a first end detachably coupled to said proximal end of
said elongated guide member, and having a second end, for engagement by a
hand of a user; and
a sliding member slidably disposed on said handle body, wherein said
sliding member is detachably coupled to said proximal end of said inner
actuation cable, and wherein said sliding member is adapted to be engaged
by said hand of said user such that relative movement between said sliding
member and said handle body causes relative movement of said inner
actuation cable within said channel of said elongated guide member.
4. The modular medical instrument of claim 1 wherein said instrument head
assembly includes:
a body member having a first end and a second end detachably coupled to
said distal end of said elongated guide member, wherein said actuation
cable extends through said second end of said body member; and
first and second forceps jaws pivotably coupled to said first end of said
body member, said first and second forceps jaws having respective first
and second tangs, wherein said actuation cable has a first portion at one
end coupled to said first tang of said first forceps jaw and a second
portion at said one end coupled to said second tang of said second forceps
jaw, and wherein movement of said actuation cable relative to said body
member causes said forceps jaws to open and close.
5. The modular medical instrument of claim 4 wherein said elongated guide
member includes an adapter at said distal end of said elongated guide
member, and wherein said body member is detachably coupled to said
adapter.
6. The modular medical instrument of claim 1 wherein said instrument head
assembly includes a grasping device.
7. The modular medical instrument of claim 6 wherein said grasping device
is selected from the group consisting of a helical retrieval basket, a
snare, a forceps device, and a prong grasper device.
8. The modular medical instrument of claim 3 wherein said activator handle
includes a gasket fitting disposed within an aperture in a nose of said
handle body and includes a luer fitting disposed within said aperture
against said gasket fitting and extending from said nose of said handle
body.
9. The modular medical instrument of claim 5 wherein said elongated guide
member includes a stainless steel spring coil and an FEP heat shrink outer
jacket disposed over said stainless steel spring coil; and wherein said
adapter is attached to said stainless steel spring coil.
10. A modular medical instrument assembly capable of being disassembled for
cleaning and reassembled for reuse, said modular medical instrument
assembly comprising:
an elongated guide member having a proximal end, a distal end and a channel
extending from said proximal end to said distal end, said elongated guide
member including a coupling member at said proximal end;
a port fitting adapted to be detachably coupled to said coupling member of
said elongated guide member, wherein said port fitting includes at least
one flush port for providing fluid communication with said elongated guide
member and includes a coupling member; and
an actuator handle adapted to be detachably coupled to either one of said
coupling member of said port fitting and said coupling member of said
elongated guide member, wherein said modular medical instrument assembly
is capable of being assembled with said port fitting between said actuator
handle and said elongated guide member and with said actuator handle
directly coupled to said elongated guide member.
11. The modular medical instrument assembly of claim 10 further comprising:
an inner actuation cable adapted to be slidably disposed within said
channel of said elongated guide member, wherein said actuator handle is
adapted to be detachably coupled to said inner actuation cable; and
an instrument device head assembly disposed at a distal end of said inner
actuation cable such that said instrument device head assembly extends
from said distal end of said elongated guide member when said inner
actuation cable is disposed within said channel of said elongated guide
member.
12. The modular medical instrument assembly of claim 11 wherein said handle
actuator includes:
a handle body having a first end adapted to be detachably coupled to said
one of said coupling member of said port fitting and said coupling member
of said elongated guide member, and having a second end, for engagement by
a hand of a user; and
a sliding member slidably disposed on said handle body, wherein said
sliding member is adapted to clamp said proximal end of said actuation
cable, and wherein said sliding member is adapted to be engaged by said
hand of said user such that relative movement between said sliding member
and said handle body causes relative movement of said inner actuation
cable within said channel of said elongated guide member.
13. The modular medical instrument of claim 11 wherein said instrument head
assembly includes a grasping device.
14. The modular medical instrument of claim 11 wherein said instrument head
assembly includes:
a body member having a first end and a second end adapted to be detachably
coupled to said distal end of said elongated guide member, wherein said
actuation cable extends through said second end of said body member; and
first and second forceps jaws pivotably coupled to said first end of said
body member, said first and second forceps jaws having respective first
and second tangs, wherein said actuation cable has a first portion at one
end coupled to said first tang of said first forceps jaw and a second
portion at said one end coupled to said second tang of said second forceps
jaw, and wherein movement of said actuation cable relative to said body
member causes said forceps jaws to open and close.
15. The modular medical instrument of claim 14 wherein said elongated guide
member includes an adapter at said distal end of said elongated guide
member, and wherein said body member is adapted to be detachably coupled
to said adapter.
16. A forceps device for use with a modular medical instrument, said
forceps device comprising:
a body member having a first end and a second end;
first and second forceps jaws pivotably coupled to said first end of said
body member, said first and second forceps jaws having respective first
and second tangs; and
an actuation cable having at least first and second wires wound together,
wherein said first and second wires extend through said second end of said
body member, wherein said first wire extends through said first tang of
said first forceps jaw and said second wire extends through said second
tang of said second forceps jaw, and wherein said first and second wires
extend back through said second end of said body member to said actuation
cable, wherein movement of said actuation cable relative to said body
member causes said forceps jaws to open and close.
17. The biopsy forceps device of claim 16 wherein said actuation cable is a
wound stainless steel cable.
18. The forceps device of claim 16 further comprising an elongated guide
member, wherein said actuation cable extends through said elongated guide
member and wherein said body member is detachably coupled to one end of
said elongated guide member.
19. The forceps device of claim 18 wherein said elongated guide member
includes a stainless steel spring coil and an FEP heat shrink outer jacket
disposed over said stainless steel spring coil.
20. The modular medical instrument of claim 19 wherein said elongated guide
member includes an adapter secured to said stainless steel spring coil at
said distal end of said elongated guide member, and wherein said body
member is detachably coupled to said adapter.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to modular medical instruments and methods of
using same and in particular, relates to modular medical instruments
having grasping devices, such as a forceps device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Endoscopy is a well known medical procedure that allows relatively
noninvasive exploration and surgical procedures to be conducted within a
patient while transmitting an image from within the patient to a monitor
that is viewed by the surgeon or other medical personnel. A conventional
endoscope includes an elongated scope body that is inserted into a body
lumen or passageway and a handle that controls insertion of the scope
body. A fiber optic sensor or video camera chip is disposed at the distal
end of the elongated scope body, for transmitting an image of the body
passageway to a monitor or video screen.
An instrument channel extends through the elongated scope body to receive
different types of medical instruments or accessories used to perform the
medical procedures within the patient's body. The medical instruments that
are commonly used with endoscopes include, but are not limited to, foreign
body graspers, wire snares, biopsy forceps, retrieval baskets, cautery
tools, probes and other similar medical instruments or accessories. The
endoscope allows the operator to observe the medical instrument in the
body passageway during the medical procedure without having to perform
invasive general surgery on the patient. Endoscopes are used for a number
of different types of procedures including, but not limited to,
gastrointestinal endoscopy, bronchoscopy, cystoscopy and laparoscopy.
The elongated medical instruments used with endoscopes present a number of
problems to hospitals and other health care facilities. Initially the
medical instruments were designed to be reusable. Although reusing the
instruments appeared to be cost effective to the hospital or health care
facility, the necessary repeated cleanings and reprocessing of the
reusable instruments has been a problem. The elongated structure and the
inability to disassemble the medical instruments make it particularly
difficult to access the channels and other areas to be cleaned within the
medical instrument. In order to effectively clean the medical instruments
and to take advantage of the maximum number of uses from each instrument,
the health care facility must train and control the medical personnel
responsible for carrying out the extensive cleaning process. The
difficulty of properly training and controlling the medical personnel
responsible for cleaning and reprocessing the medical instruments lowers
the confidence level in the sanitation of the instruments.
In an attempt to eliminate the problems associated with cleaning these
reusable medical instruments, disposable or "single-use" medical
instruments were designed. The disposable medical instruments, however,
created a number of additional problems related to the proper disposal of
medical waste. The health care facility must now control the proper
disposal of these disposable or "single-use" devices, which involves
additional costs as well as the ecological impact of medical waste
disposal.
As a result of the increased medical waste and costs associated with
disposal, many medical facilities began reusing the disposable or
"single-use" devices. These disposable medical instruments, however, are
not designed for reuse and are more easily worn and damaged if used more
than once, possibly causing complications during use. Additionally,
properly cleaning such devices is a serious problem and concern.
One type of medical instrument commonly used with an endoscope or the like
is a biopsy forceps device. The conventional biopsy forceps device
includes an elongated outer body portion made of a stainless steel coil,
an inner stainless steel actuation cable extending within the outer body,
and a head assembly disposed at a distal end of the outer body and inner
cable. The head assembly includes jaws coupled to the inner cable with a
clevis and 2 links to allow the jaws to be opened and closed by movement
of the inner cable relative to the outer body portion. The typical biopsy
forceps head assembly is soldered or brazed to the outer body and cannot
be disassembled for cleaning and/or replacement. If one component of the
biopsy forceps device is damaged, the medical facility must dispose of the
entire device or return the device to the manufacturer for repair. The
soldering or brazing of the head assembly components also causes annealing
of the stainless steel material in the outer body coil, resulting in a
susceptibility to kinks and therefore decreasing the usable life of the
biopsy forceps device.
Another disadvantage of the conventional biopsy forceps devices is the
connection of the jaws to the clevis and two links that are used to open
and close the jaws. The clevis is typically attached by being soldered or
brazed to the actuation cable extending within the outer body portion. The
heat generated by the soldering or brazing causes annealing in the
stainless steel actuation cable, resulting in cable breakage and a
decreased usable life of the biopsy forceps device. The links of the
biopsy forceps device also typically become lodged with debris, causing
the physician to use a greater force to operate the device and eventually
damaging the device. The clevis and links also inhibit the fluid passage
through the outer jacket and prevent adequate cleaning of the device.
Attempts at eliminating the clevis and links have resulted in a biopsy
forceps device that is more easily damaged and not able to be reused.
Another problem with existing medical instruments is the excessive wear
caused by inserting and moving the medical instrument through the
instrument channel of the endoscope, which is often an articulated
endoscope having a bend. Damage to the endoscopes by these medical
instruments or accessories results in additional costs for repair and/or
replacement of the endoscopes. When using the conventional biopsy forceps
device, for example, the outer diameter of the outer jacket and head
assembly as well as the length of the head assembly cause friction as the
biopsy forceps device is pushed through the instrument channel of an
endoscope or the like.
Accordingly, a need exists for a medical instrument, such as a biopsy
forceps device, that can more easily be cleaned by flushing with a fluid
and reused without being worn and damaged. The need also exists for a
medical instrument, for use with an endoscope or other similar medical
device, that is designed to be more easily pushed through the instrument
channel in the endoscope or the like without causing excessive wear and
damage to the endoscope.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention features a modular medical instrument comprising an
elongated guide member having a proximal end and a distal end and a
channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The modular
medical instrument further comprises an inner actuation cable slidably
disposed within the channel in the elongated guide member and an
instrument head assembly disposed at the distal end of the inner actuation
cable and extending from the distal end of the elongated guide member. An
actuator handle is detachably coupled to the proximal end of the elongated
guide member and to the proximal end of the inner actuation cable such
that the actuator handle moves the inner actuation cable within the
channel in the elongated guide member to actuate the instrument head
assembly.
The present invention also features a modular medical instrument assembly
comprising an elongated guide member, a port fitting adapted to be
detachably coupled to a proximal end of the elongated guide member, and an
actuator handle adapted to be detachably coupled to either the port
fitting or the proximal end of the elongated guide member. The port
fitting includes at least one flush port for providing fluid communication
with the channel of the elongated guide member.
The preferred embodiment of the handle actuator includes a handle body
having a first end adapted to be detachably coupled to either the port
fitting or the proximal end of the elongated guide member, and having a
second end, for engagement by a hand of a user. The handle actuator also
includes a sliding member slidably disposed on the handle body. The
sliding member is adapted to be coupled to the proximal end of the
actuation cable and is adapted to be engaged by the hand of the user such
that relative movement between the sliding member and the handle body
causes relative movement of the inner actuation cable within the channel
of the elongated guide member.
The present invention also features a forceps device for use with a modular
medical instrument. The forceps device comprising a body member having a
first end and a second end. First and second forceps jaws are pivotably
coupled to the first end of the body member and have respective first and
second tangs. An actuation cable extends through the second end of the
body member. The actuation cable has a first portion at one end coupled to
the first tang of the first forceps jaw and a second portion at the one
end coupled to the second tang of the second forceps jaw. Movement of the
actuation cable relative to the body member causes the forceps jaws to
open and close.
According to the preferred embodiment, the actuation cable includes a wound
stainless steel cable having at least first and second wire portions
extending through the second end of the body member. The first wire
portion extends through the first tang of the first forceps jaw and the
second wire portion extends through the second tang of the second forceps
jaw. The first and second wires extend back through the second end of the
body member and are coupled to the wound stainless steel cable.
According to the preferred embodiment, the elongated guide member includes
a stainless steel spring coil and an FEP heat shrink outer jacket disposed
over the stainless steel spring coil. The elongated guide member further
includes an adapter secured to the stainless steel spring coil at the
distal end of the elongated guide member. The body member of the forceps
device is detachably coupled to the adapter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of a modular medical instrument according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 2A-2F are side views of various types of instrument devices that can
be used with the modular medical instrument shown in FIG. 1, according to
various embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a top view of a biopsy forceps device that can be used with the
modular medical instrument of the present invention, according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are side views of the biopsy forceps device shown in FIG. 3
in closed and opened positions respectively, according to one embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a side view of a modular medical instrument, according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6A is a top view of a handle body used in the handle actuator of the
modular medical instrument, according to the present invention;
FIGS. 6B and 6C are side and end views, respectively, of a gasket fitting
for use in the aperture of the handle body nose, according to the present
invention;
FIG. 6D is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the gasket fitting disposed
in the handle body nose, according to the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a side view of thumb ring used with the handle actuator of the
modular medical instrument, according to the present invention;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are side and top views, respectively, of a spool sliding
member used with a handle actuator of the modular medical instrument,
according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 9A and 9B are side and top views, respectively, of the two finger
sliding member of the handle actuator used with the modular medical
instrument, according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in
FIG. 5;
FIGS. 10A and 10B are side and end views, respectively, of a cable clamp
used in the handle actuator of the modular medical instrument, according
to the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a side view of a thumb screw used in the cable clamp of the
handle actuator, according to the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a side view of a thumb screw cap used on the thumb screw in the
handle actuator of the modular medical instrument, according to the
present invention;
FIGS. 13A and 3B are top and side views, respectively, of a body member of
the biopsy forceps device, according to the present invention;
FIGS. 14A and 14B are perspective and side views, respectively, of a jaw of
the biopsy forceps device, according to the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a side view of a needle used with a biopsy forceps device,
according to one embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 16 is a side, partial cross-sectional view of an adapter used to
attach a biopsy forceps device to the elongate guide member of the modular
medical instrument, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A modular medical instrument 10, FIG. 1, according to the present
invention, is used with an endoscope or other similar medical device. The
modular medical instrument 10 is used to perform relatively noninvasive
medical procedures within a body passageway of an individual including,
but not limited to, gastrointestinal endoscopy, bronchoscopy, and
laparoscopy. In these applications, the modular medical instrument is used
to remove tissue or other objects from within the passageway. The present
invention contemplates using the modular medical instrument and the
concepts of the present invention with other types of medical devices and
procedures such as vascular and other procedures.
The modular medical instrument 10 comprises an elongated instrument device
12, an optional port fitting detachably coupled to the instrument device
12, and an actuator handle 16 detachably coupled to the port fitting 14.
The instrument device 12 includes an elongated guide member 18, an inner
actuation cable 20 slidably disposed within the guide member 18, and an
instrument device head assembly 22 disposed at a distal end 24 of the
guide member 18 and actuation cable 20. The instrument device 12 is
inserted within the instrument channel of an endoscope or similar medical
device. The actuator handle 16 moves the inner actuation cable 20 within
the guide member 18 to actuate the head assembly 22, which is used to
perform the procedure, e.g. grasping objects, within the patient. Each of
the components or sub-assemblies--the guide member 18, actuation cable 20
and head assembly 22, the port fitting , and the handle 16--are detachable
for cleaning and/or replacement.
The handle actuator 16 includes a handle body 26 having a thumb ring 28
coupled at one end of the handle body 26. In one embodiment, a spool
sliding member 30 is slideably disposed on the handle body 26. The spool
sliding member 30 is coupled to a proximal end 32 of the actuator cable
20, for example, using a clamping mechanism 34. The clamping mechanism 34
preferably includes a cable clamp 36 disposed within the spool sliding
member 30 and a thumb screw 38 threadably received in the cable clamp 36
such that the proximal end 32 of the actuation cable 20 is clamped between
the cable clamp 36 and the thumb screw 38. Thus, when the spool sliding
member 30 slides along the handle body 26 generally in the direction of
arrows 35, the actuator cable 20 slides relative to the guide member 18
and actuates, e.g. opens/closes, the instrument head assembly 22, as will
be described in greater detail below. The present invention also
contemplates other types of cable clamping mechanisms.
The modular medical instrument 10 can be assembled with or without the
flush port fitting 14 detachably coupled between the handle body 26 and
the guide member 18. In the preferred embodiment, a first coupling member
40 is attached to the proximal end 39 of the guide member 18, and a second
coupling member 42 is attached to one end of the flush port fitting 14.
When the flush port fitting 14 is used, the flush port fitting 14 is
coupled to the first coupling member 40 at the proximal end 39 of the
guide member 18 and the second coupling member 42 of the flush port
fitting 14 is coupled to a male luer fitting 44 extending from the nose 45
of the handle body 26. When the flush port fitting 14 is not used, the
first coupling member 40 at the proximal end 39 of guide member 18 is
coupled directly to the luer fitting 44 at the nose 45 of the handle body
26. In the exemplary embodiment, the coupling members 40, 42 include
internal threads that engage corresponding external threads on the port
fitting 14 and luer fitting 44 respectively.
The flush port fitting 14 includes a flush port 46 having a coupling
portion 48 that attaches to a hose or the like for supplying a fluid to
the guide member 18. The flush port 46 can be used to flush the guide
member 18 with cleaning fluid, thereby facilitating cleaning of the guide
member 18. The flush port 46 can also be used during the medical procedure
to flush with irrigation fluids or deliver medication to a target location
in the patient. A cap can be coupled to the flush port 46 when not in use.
The flush port fitting 14 is preferably made of nylon or other
sterilizable material, e.g. using autoclave, soak sterilization, and ETO
sterilization techniques. The present invention contemplates flush port
fittings having any possible shape or design.
The present invention includes various types of instrument devices 2a-2f,
FIGS. 2A-2F, having different head assemblies that can be used with the
modular medical instrument 10 of the present invention. Each of the
instrument devices 2a-2f includes a guide member 18 that can be removably
attached to the flush port fitting 14 and/or the handle body 26 and an
actuation cable 20 that is clamped by the clamping mechanism 34 of the
handle 16.
One type of instrument device is formed by the wires forming the actuation
cable 20 and includes a four wire helical retrievable basket 12a, FIG. 2A,
a snare 12b, FIG. 2B, a four prong grasper 12c, FIG. 2C, and a three prong
grasper 2d, FIG. 2D. In each of these instrument devices 2a-2d, the guide
member 18 is formed by a TFE extruded outer jacket that allows for fluids
to be flushed through. The basket, snare and grasper devices can easily be
removed from the guide member 18 for cleaning and/or replacement.
Another type of instrument device includes the biopsy forceps device 12e,
12f, FIGS. 2E and 2F, having a head assembly coupled to the actuation
cable 20. The biopsy forceps devices 12e, 12f include jaws 50, 52
pivotably coupled to a body member 54. One type of biopsy forceps device
12e, FIG. 2E, further includes a needle 56 secured to the body member 54
between the jaws 50, 52. An adapter 58 is attached to the stainless steel
coil of the guide member 18, for example, using a class VI epoxy,
micro-precision crimping, laser welding and/or other suitable techniques
that control the amount of heat to prevent annealing in the steel coil of
the guide member. The forceps body 54 is detachably coupled to the adapter
58, for example, by threading the body 54 into the adapter 58. The biopsy
forceps devices 12e, 12f of the present invention can thus easily be
detached from the adapter 58 and disassembled for cleaning and/or
replacement of components.
As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4B, the jaws are directly
coupled to the actuation cable 20, which preferably includes a wound four
strand stainless steel cable. Two of the wires 60, 62 from the actuation
cable 20 extend through an aperture 53 in the body 54 and loop through
holes 63, 65 in the tangs 64, 66 of the jaws 50, 52. These wires 60, 62
are threaded back through the body 54 to the cable 20 and are coupled, for
example, with a stainless steel hypotube coupling 68 (FIG. 3) that is
crimped with a micro-precision eight position crimp. Movement of the
sliding member 30 relative to the handle body 26 causes the actuation
cable 20 to move generally in the direction of arrow 69, thereby opening
the jaws 50, 52 (FIG. 4B). Moving the sliding member 30 in the opposite
direction closes the jaws 50, 52.
Using one continuous stainless steel cable 20 attached to the jaws 50, 52
eliminates the need for the clevis, links and rivets used in the
conventional biopsy forceps devices. Also, the wires 60, 62 are preferably
not bent in a way that would make the wires susceptible to failure.
Furthermore, eliminating the need for brazing or soldering prevents the
annealing that causes failure in the guide member 18 or actuation cable
20, increasing the useful life of the biopsy forceps device of the present
invention. The present invention contemplates using these novel concepts
of attaching the biopsy forceps device to the guide member 18 and
actuation cable 20 with other forceps-type assemblies or other types of
jaw designs or head assemblies.
In the biopsy forceps embodiments, the guide member 18 is preferably a
stainless steel spring coil having an FEP heat shrink outer jacket. The
FEP outer jacket provides containment of the fluids being flushed through
the inner lumen of the guide member 18 and is able to withstand repeated
reprocessing and sterilizations. The FEP outer jacket also provides a
smooth and lubricious surface coating that reduces friction when inserted
into an endoscope instrument channel. The FEP coating as well as a reduced
outer diameter of the guide member 18 improves the tactile feel or
"pushability" when pushing the instrument through the instrument channel
of the endoscope.
In one example, the outer diameter of the guide member 18 is 0.086 inches
(2.2 mm) and the thickness of the FEP outer jacket is about 0.005 inches.
In this example, each of the wires 60, 62 have a diameter of about 0.008
inches and extend through an aperture 53 in the body 54 having a diameter
of about 0.040 inches and holes 63, 65 in the tangs 64, 66 having a
diameter of about 0.0205 inches. In addition to the 2.2 mm biopsy forceps
device, the present invention includes other possible sizes, e.g. a 1.8 mm
size (an outer diameter of 0.070 inches). Eliminating the clevis and links
also reduces the overall length of the head assembly further improving
pushability. The preferred embodiment of the biopsy forceps device,
however, has elongated the jaws 50, 52 to increase the tissue sample size.
For example, the 2.2 mm biopsy forceps device according to the preferred
embodiment can obtain a maximum tissue sample of 6.0 mm.sup.3.
The present invention also contemplates other types of instrument devices
of any possible size including, but not limited to, biopsy forceps with
meshing teeth, rat tooth forceps, solid mating tooth retrieval grasping
forceps, and a handle that can be plugged into a standard RF generator to
allow the instrument device to act as an electrocautery device.
According to an alternative embodiment, the actuator handle 16, FIG. 5,
includes a two ring finger slide member 70 that slides relative to the
handle body 26 and clamps the actuator cable 20 using the clamping
mechanism 34. The present invention also contemplates slide member or
actuator handles having other shapes or designs.
One example of the handle body 26 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6A. An
aperture 41 extends through the nose 45 of the handle body 26 to a slot 51
through the handle body 26. In a preferred embodiment, a gasket fitting
43, FIGS. 6B-6D, is disposed within the aperture 41 extending through the
handle nose 45 and behind the luer fitting 44 (see FIG. 1). In one
example, the gasket fitting 43 is made of stainless steel. The gasket
fitting 43 prevents fluid from being flushed through the handle aperture
when the device is being flushed using the flush port fitting . The
tapered surface 55 (e.g., having an angle .alpha. of about 82.degree.) of
the gasket fitting 43 also facilitates centering of the actuation cable 20
into the clamping mechanism 34 during assembly. An O-ring or other similar
sealing member 47 is preferably disposed in a counterbore 49 of the gasket
fitting 43. The gasket fitting 43 is then screwed into the aperture 41 in
the nose 45 of the handle body 26 until the gasket fitting 43 is flush
with the bottom of a counterbore in the aperture 41 of the handle body
nose 45. The luer fitting 44 is then threaded into the aperture and into
abutment with the gasket fitting 43.
One example of the thumb ring 28 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 7. In
the exemplary embodiment, the thumb ring 28 includes a coupling region 57
that receives a coupling member 59 on the handle body 26 (FIG. 6A). An
example of the spool slider member 30 used in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is
shown in greater detail in FIGS. 8A and 8B. An example of the two ring
finger slider member 70 used in the embodiment of FIG. 5 is shown in
greater detail in FIGS. 9A and 9B. The spool slider member 30 and the two
ring finger slider 70 both include a region 80 extending through the
slider members 30, 70 that slidably receives the handle body 26. The
handle body 26, thumb ring 28, and slider members 30, 70 are preferably
made of a material capable of repeated sterilization using methods, such
as autoclave and ETO, or by repeated soak sterilization methods. In one
example, the material is a polyetherimide material sold under the name
Ultem 1000 by GE Plastics.
One example of the cable clamp 36 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 10A
and 10B. The cable clamp 36 fits within a hole 82 extending through the
slider members 30, 70, and an end portion 84 of the cable clamp 36 engages
with a groove 86 opposite the hole 82 in the slider members 30, 70 (FIGS.
8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B). The cable clamp 36 includes through hole 88 for
receiving the actuation cable 20. When the slider members 30, 70 are
slidably disposed on the handle body 26 (FIG. 6A), the cable clamp 36
extends through the slot 51 in the handle body 26 such that the actuation
cable 20 extends through the aperture 41 in the nose 45 of the handle body
26, into the slot 51, and through the hole 88.
One example of the thumb screw 38 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 11. In
the exemplary embodiment, the thumb screw 38 is threaded into a region 90
within the cable clamp 36 (FIG. 10A) The thumb screw 38 includes a
clamping end 92 that clamps the actuation cable 20 extending through the
hole 88 in the cable clamp 36. A knurled thumb screw cap 37, FIG. 12, is
preferably attached to the other end 94 of the thumb screw 38 to
facilitate threading the thumb screw 38 into and out of engagement with
the actuation cable 20. In this example, the cable clamp 36 and thumb
screw 38 are preferably made of stainless steel, and the thumb screw cap
37 is preferably made of a polyetherimide material sold under the name
Ultem 1000 by GE Plastics.
One example of the forceps body 54 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 13A
and 13B. The forceps body 54 includes a first end 94 to which the jaws 50,
52 are pivotably coupled and a second end 96 through which the actuation
cable 20 extends (FIG. 3).
One example of the jaws 50, 52 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 14A and
14B. The jaws are preferably made by a drawn stamped process. One example
of the needle 56 used in a forceps device 12e (FIG. 2E) is shown in
greater detail in FIG. 15. One example of the adapter 58 attached to the
guide member 18 for detachably coupling the forceps device is shown in
greater detail in FIG. 16. The adapter 58 includes a threaded region 98
that threadably engages the second end 96 of the forceps body 54.
Although specific dimensions and shapes are shown in the exemplary
embodiment, the present invention contemplates a modular medical
instrument having components of different sizes or shapes. The present
invention also contemplates using one or more of the components or
features of the present invention with other components or features not
expressly disclosed herein.
The modular medical instrument 10 can be provided in either an assembled
condition ready for use or in a disassembled condition to be assembled for
use. One or more of the components of the modular medical instrument 10
can also be provided separately as replacement parts.
One method for assembling the modular medical device 10 begins by coupling
the second coupling member 42 of the flush port fitting 14 to the
extension 44 at the nose 45 of the handle body 26. The proximal end 32 of
the actuation cable 20 extending out of the proximal end 39 of the guide
member 18 is inserted through an aperture in the flush port fitting 14,
which centers and guides the cable 20 into the aperture 41 in the nose 45
of the handle body 26 and through the gasket fitting 43 in the nose 45.
The flush port fitting 14 is then coupled to the first coupling member at
the proximal end 39 of the guide member 18. The proximal end 32 of the
actuation cable 20 is then inserted through the hole 88 in the cable clamp
38, thereby positioning the actuation cable 20 in a clamping region
between the cable clamp 36 and thumb screw 38 within the sliding member
30, 70. The proximal end 32 of the cable 20 is positioned to a desired
location that will allow the jaws 50, 52 or other head assembly to
operate, and the thumb screw 38 is tightened to clamp the proximal end 32
of the actuation cable 20. This process can be reversed to disassemble the
modular medical instrument 10, for cleaning and/or replacing any one of
the component parts.
Accordingly, the modular medical instrument of the present invention can be
easily disassembled to facilitate cleaning and/or replacement of any one
of the component parts. The modular medical instrument of the present
invention is easier to clean and inspect after cleaning, thereby
increasing the confidence level of the hospital or medical facility in the
sanitation of the medical instruments. The modular medical instrument is
also designed to have an extended useful life. Moreover, if the modular
medical instrument needs repair, the "take apart" design of the modular
medical instrument allows a hospital or medical facility to repair or
refurbish the instrument component-by-component without having to return
the instrument to the manufacturer. Since the modular medical instruments
are more easily cleaned and can be disposed of and replaced on a
component-by-component basis, the medical facility will avoid unnecessary
medical waste and costs associated with disposing the medical waste. The
modular medical instrument according to the present invention also
improves the pushability through an instrument channel in an endoscope and
prevents excessive wear and damage to the endoscope.
Modifications and substitutions by one ordinary skill in the art are
considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
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